# recap

/ˈɹiˌkæp/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recap
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to summarize

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to give a short summary of what has happened or what has been said.

For teachers: to summarize the main points of an event, discussion, or piece of media. Often used in professional or educational contexts to ensure alignment.

- Before we start the new lesson, let's recap what we learned yesterday.
- The manager asked the team lead to recap the client's requirements to ensure no misunderstandings had occurred during the initial briefing.

### 2. to seal again

verb · CEFR B2

to put a cap or lid back on a container.

For teachers: to replace a cap or closure on a container to seal it again.

- Make sure you recap the glue tightly so it does not dry out.
- The laboratory protocol requires technicians to recap all chemical vials immediately after use to prevent evaporation or contamination.

### 3. a summary

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short description that gives the main points of something.

For teachers: a concise summary or recapitulation of previous events or information.

- If you missed the first episode, here is a quick recap of the story.
- The news anchor provided a brief recap of the day's legislative developments before introducing the guest commentator for a deeper analysis.

### 4. financial restructuring

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a change in how a company manages its debt and money.

For teachers: a leveraged recapitalization involving a significant change in a company's capital structure, typically by increasing debt to pay dividends.

- The company announced a recap to help pay back its investors.
- Market analysts predicted that the proposed recap would significantly increase the firm's debt-to-equity ratio, potentially impacting its long-term credit rating.

## Examples

- Let's start the meeting with a quick recap.
- The news anchor provided a brief recap of the day's top stories before the weather report.
- After the cliffhanger finale, the show's producers released a five-minute recap to ensure the audience remembered the complex political alliances before the new season began.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.